IBISLTips Trig Eqns
IBISLTips Trig Eqns
IBISLTips Trig Eqns
The following instructions should allow you to solve most trigonometric equations you encounter.
Sometimes it might be necessary to use algebraic manipulation to make your equation fit one of the
following types. Remember you can always use your calculator to solve and check the solutions.
Note: Always make sure you calculator is in the appropriate mode before solving trig equations.
Examples:
θ
2
1 1
1) cos = , 0° ≤ θ ≤ 360 ° . 4) cos 2θ = , 0° ≤ θ ≤ 180 °
2 2 2
sin 5 x = −0.5, 0° ≤ x ≤180 ° . 1
2) 5) sin( 3θ + 10 °) = , 0° ≤ θ ≤ 180 ° .
1 4
3) sin (θ − 45 °) = , 0° ≤ θ ≤ 360 ° 6) tan (θ ) = 3 , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .
2
2
Type 2: Equations with cos2x and cosx (or sin or tan) or equations with sinx/sin2x (or cos) and sinxcosx.
• Set one side equal to zero.
• Factor. (Do NOT divide by a trig function)
• Solve each factor separately as in Type 1. It is not necessary for each factor to have a solution.
Examples:
1) 2 sin θ cos θ + cos θ = 0, 0° ≤ θ ≤ 360 °
Examples:
1) 3 cos x = 5 sin x , 0º < x < 360º
2) 3sinx + 4cosx = 0, 0° ≤ x < 360 °
Type 4: Equations with sin2x and cosx/cos2x (or vice versa)
• Use trigonometric identity sin2x + cos2x = 1 (sin2x = 1 – cos2x or cos2x = 1 – sin2x) to rewrite the
equation in terms of just one trig function.
• Follow the steps for new Type (probably type 2).
Examples:
1) Solve 3sin2x = cos2x, 0° ≤ x ≤ 180 ° .
2) Solve 5 cos 2 x + sin 2 x = 4 , 0° ≤ x ≤ 360 °
3) Find all the exact solutions to the equation 6 cos x − 4 sin 2 x = 0, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
4) (a) Simplify the expression sin2x + cos2x.
(b) Solve the equation sin2x + 5cos2x = 2 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360 ° .
5) (a) Express 2 cos 2 x + sin x in terms of sin x only.
(b) Solve the equation 2 cos 2 x + sin x = 2 for x in the interval 0 < x < π , giving your answers exactly.
6) (a) Write the expression 3 sin 2 x + 4 cos x in the form a cos 2 x + b cos x + c .
(b) Hence or otherwise, solve the equation 3 sin 2 x + 4 cos x − 4 = 0 , 0º < x < 90º.
7) Consider the trigonometric equation 2 sin 2 x = 1 + cos x .
(a) Write this equation in the form f ( x ) = 0 , where f ( x) = a cos 2 x + b cos x + c , and a, b, and c ∈ Ζ .
(b) Factorize f ( x ) .
(c) Solve f ( x ) = 0 for 0º < x < 360º.
Examples:
1) Find the exact solutions to the equation sin 2 x = sin x , for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π .
2) Solve sin2x + sinx = 0 for − π ≤ x ≤ π
3) Solve 3sinx + cos2x = 2 for 0 < x < 2π .
Example:
1
1) tan 2 x + 1 = , 0° ≤ x < 180 °
sin 2 x
Example:
1) Find all solutions of the equation cos 3x = cos( 0.5 x) , for 0 ≤ x ≤ π .